batiircabur

Thank you, thats exactly what I told him. I'm me and always will be, I'll just be a smaller version.

Hello Everyone, I am in my 4th month of the required 6 month PCP visit. I've done the psych evaluation and start my surgeons program this December. My husband recently started changing things, such as wanting to get rid of some of his hobbies, things he's collected for so long. He bought a guitar and today he was talking about getting a motorcycle. This is not the person I married. He has been distant, not really wanting to do much, and when confronted he said "I'm changing because your going to leave me when you lose all the weight." I have tried and tried to explain to him all the pros this decision will be for the BOTH of us (we talked extensively before my decision and he was 100% supportive). Nothing is working. He is utterly terrified that when i lose the weight I will hunt down another man and leave him. I have never, and he agrees, given him a sliver of a worry that I would ever leave him or want to for that matter. I'm doing this to better my life, not change who I am. I understand how he feels because we both know people that left their spouse's after a significant weight loss, but both instances was because there was no support, motivation, or understanding on either part. We have all these....I even brought up marriage counseling for the both of us but he's in such a funk he really is zoned out. Does anyone have any similar instances with your spouse after/before/during being banded and could give me some advice? I'm really at a loss, and I HAVE to keep going forward with this. But should my marriage be on thin ice for it?

Can I ask what insurance you have?

Yesterday, October 6th, I went for my psychological evaluation. My appointment was at 3:15 but I arrived at 2:30 to fill out paperwork. I didnt get called until 3:45, no biggy. I sat down with the doctor and had an hour long conversation. She asked questions that I assumed were going to be asked. I gave her my answers straight forward. I wanted her to know I'm in this and I have researched all kinds of scenerios, good and bad and am ready for it. After the appointment she said that she seen no signs of mental instability and cleared me! So we sent over the forms to my surgeons office. Now I just need to finish out the 6 month PCP diet (which i've lost 5lbs so far) and go to the surgeons 4 week program starting in December. I feel 2012, for so many reasons, is going to be the year I finally get to start my life!!!!!

Thank you for the information...I'm confused why people are thinking my post was about me getting pregnant. My intentions previously was to get pregnant and went to my OBGYN for help. Thats when she told me about the surgery and since have put attempting to have children on hold. My COMPLETE focus is this surgery and getting healthy and am trying NOT to get pregnant in the meantime that is why im asking about birth control. Thank you all for your information I will be starting birth control soon, once I get a period they said they would prescribe it so i've started taking Provera to jump start that. In the meantime we are being safe. I'm not doing this for the main purpose of getting pregnant I'm doing this to be able to maintain a happy and HEALTHY life and can only hope I do have children in the future, and if so, I'm going to be here long enough to enjoy them. Thanks again!

OBGYN says that I need to first have a period before they will proscribe Birth control. So...after I take Provera and start I will get the birth control and just stop 4-6 weeks before I turn in my insurance request. I'm guessing because there wasn't any replies after 208 views this hasnt been an issue...but wanted to let someone know that might of been wondering the same thing as me.

I went to my OBGYN a couple weeks ago because I hadnt had a period in awhile. I told her I did not want Birth control because my husband and I have been "trying" for 2 years so she gave me provera. However, now that I am going to go through the lap band surgery I didn't want provera and would rather do birth control so that 1. I can finally have a period after 114 days and 2. not get pregnant before the surgery (which is weird to me since I've been peeing on a stick for so long). I called my surgeons office and they said I could be on BC but would have to stop it 4 weeks before surgery and not get back on 4-6 weeks after surgery. I then asked them about Provera but she wasnt familiar with it (its to make me have a period with still have the possibility of getting pregnant). Does anyone have advice or have any experience with this. I've always had irregular periods, however, 114 days is kinda pushing it to ridiculous. Thanks!

I live in Florida and have AvMed. I have to do 6 months of physician document diet/exercise (basically i do this on my own go back and tell him how i did and he writes it down). Then they weigh me and that's it from PCP. I have to do a physiological evaluation as well but not a nutritionist visit. I will however meet with one when I start my surgeons 4 week program. Its 4 weeks of meeting with the surgeon, nutritionist, and video and questionnaire. Its $525 out of pocket expense.

It is a requirement for my insurance company, each one is different, although I've heard a lot of people doing the 6 month physician supervised diet. My doctor said its basically to show the insurance that I am trying and that he is documenting my efforts. I have to have a physiological evaluation as well for my insurance. Regarding your other questions I'm afraid if its not covered its just not covered. When I went to the LapBand seminar they went over the payment options and its states if your insurance doesn't cover it; its out of pocket, however, they did give lots of options on payment methods. You could look into if your surgeon offers a payment plan or any other advise on any other payment options. Good luck!

I decided to go to my PCP. He seen me this past Monday and will continue for the 6 months. My surgeons office said to start their 4 week program in December so that way everything will be completed, requirement wise, by my last visit to PCP in February and they will submit to my insurance on March 1st. My PCP wasnt very enthusiastic, it was sort of just a bunch of writing he didnt really give me any advise of any kind so it was a little discouraging. Kind of made me feel like I wasnt going to take the 6 month seriously so he wasnt either. My next visit I'm going to make sure to let him know I am serious and would like his support in this matter, support is one thing I lack and it would be nice to have it from someone like him. All in all I'm getting anxious and I'm only 1 visit in. I'm trying to eat better and I started walking around my neighborhood this week. Thanks for the great advise I'm really glad I stumbled upon this site.

WOW, that is incredible. I dont see my PCP that often but hopefully that is something he could do as well. I wont hold my breathe, If i have to do the 6 months so be it. Its worth the "weight". Thanks for the comments so far. I am keeping my PCP appointment for today and not bothering with the Weight Loss clinic idea.

Hi Everyone, I am just starting my jouney with Lap band. I went to the seminar and have made an appointment with my surgeon for December to start his 4 week program. In the meantime, I have to have 6 months (4 visits min) supervised physician diet/weight/BMI documented visits. My question is did you find someone special to go to (like a weight loss clinic that measures you, weighs, gives you supplements and such) or did you go to your primary doctor? If you went to your primary doctor do they honestly know what they have to do? My appointment is today and I really hope I'm doing the right thing. I would hate to go 6 months and it be something that was not done correctly. I have Avmed insurance if that helps your answers. Thanks!

I called my surgeon's office to ask them some questions. In February/March I was involved with a weight loss clinic. I was given B12 shots, phentermine, and weighed every week. I did this for 5 weeks straight. I lost 33lbs in those 5 weeks, however, it was pricey and started to financially show and two the staff was not friendly whatsoever. I wanted to know if these 5 weeks would count toward my insurance requirements. They monitored my weight, bmi, exercise regiments, diet, vitamin supplements so I assumed this would work. They think that this wont work because it needs to be within a 6 month period, and to me I would assume within 6 months I visited it 5 times, my requirement is 4 visits in 6 months. But I guess I'm reading it wrong and they ACTUALLY mean 6 month consecutive with at least 4 visits. In any event I'm just going to go to the primary doctors office today and let them know what I want to do and hopefully they can cater to my request. I was getting excited this weekend thinking all I would need to do now is a psychiatric evaluation and then my surgeons 4 week program....but looks like I will have to wait the 6 months. Its a wait worth waiting....I started my shakes for breakfast and lunch, with 74.4oz of water during the day and a healthy dinner today. Here's to one foot forward!

August 25, 2011- I called my doctor and set an appointment for Monday August 29th at 4:30 to start the first visit of 6 I will need to satisfy my insurance requirements. I wish I would of already been doing this, but I just need to be positive and remind myself that its happening, and to NOT unfold. Keep moving forward, keep looking in front of myself and defeat is NOT an option.

Here is where I am at the moment. Today at 6:30 I will be going to a Seminar with my husband. At first I was very distant to the idea and had all these opinions, that I later found to not be true. I like the fact that it is a gradual lose unlike gastric, which I thought of several years ago. That the port is not outside your body rather inside and that if I was to become pregnant it is something that is easily adjustable to my needs. I want to eat healthy, I want to exercise, I want to tie my shoes without hyperventaliating, and I want to go to a restaurant and sit in the damn booth without a fat pillow showing up on the table. I dont see lap band, as others may, as a "easy" way to lose weight. I know that there is going to be struggles and there is going to be determination and constent motivation on my part. I see the lap band as my inner, will you, self there 24-7 reassuring me that it can and will get done because unlike gyms and friends/family support the lap band wont go anywhere, its there and will always be there with me. I have to do this for not only the health of any possible children but MY future. The future with my husband, family, and self. I diserve to be completley happy and its about damn time I get on the right path.

I'm at work going through story after story...still on the fence about what to do. Then, I come upon your story. I'm at my desk with tears down my face. I, without a doubt, know my answer is yes. Yes, I want to do this. Yes, I want to feel the way you feel. Your inspiring and I applaud you for your success....and hope I can be in your place one day, helping someone make a wonderful decision like I am going to do. Thank you!

Yay! My first Seminar is today, after that I will be able to make a consultation visit. I have so many things going through my mind. Hope all goes well for you!